scholarly journals Biomedical graduate student experiences during the COVID-19 university closure

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256687
Author(s):  
Janani Varadarajan ◽  
Abigail M. Brown ◽  
Roger Chalkley
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
Spring Semester ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The University ◽  
Senior Students ◽  
Remote Learning

COVID-19-associated university closures moved classes online and interrupted ongoing research in universities throughout the US. In Vanderbilt University, first year biomedical sciences PhD students were in the middle of their spring semester coursework and in the process of identifying a thesis research lab, while senior students who had already completed the first year were at various stages of their graduate training and were working on their thesis research projects. To learn how the university closure and resulting interruptions impacted our students’ learning and well-being, we administered two surveys, one to the first year students and the other to the senior students. Our main findings show that the university closure negatively impacted the overall psychological health of about one-third of the survey respondents, time management was the aspect of remote learning that caused the highest stress for close to 50% of the students, and interaction with their peers and in-person discussions were the aspects of on-campus learning that students missed the most during the remote learning period. Additionally, survey responses also show that students experienced positive outcomes as a result of remote learning that included spending increased time on additional learning interests, with family, on self-care, and for dissertation or manuscript writing. Though a variety of supportive resources are already available to students in our institution, results from our survey suggest enhancing these measures and identifying new ones targeted to addressing the academic and emotional needs of PhD students would be beneficial. Such support measures may be appropriate for students in other institutions as well.

scholarly journals Correlation between the health of first-year students and adaptation to educational environment of a medical university

2020 ◽  
pp. 38-55
Author(s):  
Marina Borisovna Chizhkova
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
First Year ◽  
Spring Semester ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
The University ◽  
Medical University

  The article presents the results of research on the place and role of health in the process of adaptation of future physicians to educational environment of a medical university. The subject of this article is the dependence of physical and psychological health of first-year students on the of adaptation and anxiety indicators in the university. The research methodology is based on the representation of health as the fundamental determinant responsible for the dynamic balance between students and the new conditions of professional becoming. Methodological toolset contains the following psychological techniques: questionnaires “Adaptation of Students in the University” (T. D. Dubovitskaya, A. V. Krylova), “Anxiety of the Students” (modification of the questionnaire J. Taylor), MOS SF-36 questionnaire (J. E. Ware, adapted by E. I. Shubochkina and co-authors.). The research was conducted during one academic year and consisted of two stages: October 2018 and in April 2019; reference set involved 120 first-year students (63 and 57 people respectively). Implementation φ-Fisher multifunctional, parametric Student’s t-test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, interpretation and summary of statistical data analysis allowed making conclusions that comply with the set goal advanced hypotheses: the dynamics of subjective assessment by first-year students of their physical and psychological health is characterized with the extended physical and social functioning, endurance, life activity in the context of lower level of role functioning substantiated by the emotional distress; dependence of health on adaptation and anxiety indicators is most evident during the fall semester and least evident in the spring semester; shift of this vector from academic to social adaptation, as well as substantial reduction in the number of intercorrelations, mainstream the problem of the dynamics of determinant impact of health upon the success of initial educational period. The acquired data can find practical implementation in development of theoretical-methodological framework for coordinating the adaptation process of first-year students to the educational environment of a medical university.  

scholarly journals Features of Adaptation of Non-Resident Students to the University Learning Environment

2020 ◽  
pp. 53-58
Author(s):  
Olga Viktorovna Bodenova ◽  
Lyudmila Pavlovna Vlasova
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
State University ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Resident Students ◽  
New Type ◽  
The University

The article is devoted to the overview of one of the most current problems that arise in the process of supporting the adaptation of students. The paper reveals the content of the adaptation process, its content and procedural characteristics, describes the types and stages, and directions of diagnostics. The aim of the work is to identify the features of adaptation in first-year students, including the description of the specifics of difficulties of non-resident students’ adaption. The study was conducted at the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology “Petrozavodsk State University” with first-year students studying in the fields of education 44.03.02 Psychological and pedagogical education, 44.03.01. Pedagogical education, 44.03.03 Special (defectologic) education. The following methods were used to test the hypothesis: «I am a student» survey, «Scale of subjective well-being» method, analysis of documents (medical records of students), quantitative and qualitative analysis. The results of the study. Analysis of the results of the study showed that non-resident students have both general and specific difficulties of adaptation due to the breakdown of previous family and friendships, lack of emotional support, difficult living conditions, a new neighborhood, a new type of settlement, etc. The obtained results are used for development and implementation of measures to support students during the adaptation period.

scholarly journals Behavioral and Psychological Correlates of Well-Being during COVID-19

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412097816
Author(s):  
Nicole C. Ryerson
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact

The globe is currently experiencing the immense and devastating impact of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 disease. College students are being uniquely impacted by the pandemic as well as the lockdown procedures that are in place. The current study utilized survey methods to investigate the impact of the pandemic on college students with a focus on changes in alcohol consumption and correlates of psychological health. Results found that participants reported a significant increase in alcohol consumption as a result of the pandemic. Furthermore, this increase in consumption related to a decline in psychological health. Exploratory analyses found that a decline in psychological health correlated with negative impacts in several life areas (financial, resource, social, and academic) and a decline in time management skills. However, spending time on leisure activities and spending time in-person with family and friends negatively correlated with psychological decline. Interestingly, news exposure to did not relate to psychological health.

scholarly journals Veiledningssamtale for første års studenter: Et innspill til praksisnærhet og studiekvalitet

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-79
Author(s):  
Anne-Lise With
Keyword(s):  
Career Guidance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Study Programme ◽  
Quality In Higher Education ◽  
University Of Oslo ◽  
The University ◽  
Shed Light

This chapter deals with counselling for first-year students as a way to strengthen motivation and mastery. Based on the model ForVei – preparatory counselling, it is argued for the relevance of the counselling conversation as a part of follow-up and study programme quality in higher education and the time of mass education. ForVei is based on the basic values MSHRL – Met, Seen, Heard, Respected, Equal, which is central to the way the conversation is conducted. It is the student’s motivation, mastery and well-being that are the main focus of ForVei, which is now practiced at several universities in Norway, such as the University of Oslo and Nord University. The chapter contains examples from our own research project on ForVei – counselling at INN University, where career guidance is a theme, as well. In the perspective of the student’s motivation and experience, counselling and learning theory are used, among others, with Vance Peavy’s constructivist Socio-Dynamic Counselling and Mark S. Savicka’s concept of self-efficacy. The latter, for example, helps to shed light on differences in self-perception and belief in one’s own resources and abilities. The chapter deals with these and other topics in light of study programme quality and ForVei – counselling for first-year students.

scholarly journals Building Learning Communities in Residential Colleges

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-68
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Muldoon ◽  
◽  
Ian Macdonald ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Regional University ◽  
Traditional Lectures ◽  
The University ◽  
Senior Students

This paper addresses the retention issues presented when large numbers of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and associated disadvantaged educational histories live together on-campus. It reports research in progress on a new approach taken at the University of New England (UNE), Australia, aimed at encouraging the growth of learning communities in colleges through the training and subsequent support of senior students charged with helping first year students negotiate the transition to successful university study. It outlines the issues faced by both the first year students and the senior students, strategies implemented, outcomes to date and plans for further change. UNE is a regional university with 5,000 on-campus students, half of whom live in seven residential colleges. It appears that for these students, traditional lectures and workshops on learning strategies and techniques are not as effective as layered, personal ‘at the elbow’ learning support in a non-threatening, social environment.

scholarly journals ENGG 113 COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN: A FIRST YEAR ENGINEERING COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF REGINA

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Time Management ◽  
First Year ◽  
Design Activity ◽  
Credit Hours ◽  
Web Document ◽  
Underlying Principle ◽  
Single Standard ◽  
Short Courses ◽  
The University

Circa 1990 the Engineering curriculum at the University of Regina was completely overhauled. Previous to this, there were small courses in communication and design. The short courses were combined into a single standard length course of 3 credit hours, ENGG 113, Communications and Design. The underlying principle was that communication was indeed a design process. An essay must be designed, a presentation must be designed and even a sentence must be created using the fundamentals of the design process. The course incorporates unorthodox practices but it covers a variety of topics that support the design process. For example, time management is not only covered, it is practiced in class by having a student moderate each class. The class is broken into four 17 minute periods, each starting with students doing random self introductions, and ending with student summaries. Student design groups do a presentation during one of these modules. The entire class is under the control of the moderator. The lab is broken into three sections, a writing activity, a computer activity and a design activity. A design is done, and is presented at the end of the course as a WEB document. This paper describes the topics, the objectives and the methodology of the course and gives an analysis as to what works and what remains lacking.

Well-Being and Functional Status of Pharmacy Students: A Preliminary Assessment

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-88
Author(s):  
Eric T Edgell ◽  
Michael D Caplette ◽  
Karl J Gregor ◽  
Mark T Flynn ◽  
Stephen Joel Coons
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Emotional Problem ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Pharmacy Education ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Student Functioning ◽  
The University

Objective: To initiate the research process of investigating how pharmacy education affects the health status of pharmacy students. Design: Student functioning and well-being were assessed within two pharmacy classes at two points in time. Setting: College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Participants: Students enrolled in either their first (class of 1997) or third (class of 1995) professional year of The University of Arizona's 4-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. Main Outcome Measure: The RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0. Results: No significant mean score differences were found between the classes, and the mean scores for the first-year class remained stable during the semester. The third-year class's mean scores for the emotional well-being and emotional problem-related role functioning scales decreased significantly during the semester. Conclusions: Pharmacy school may affect students' functioning and well-being in different and unique ways compared with medical school. Additional research should be conducted to assess changes in pharmacy student health status and to develop mechanisms to help counter any negative impact that may occur during pharmacy school.

scholarly journals A College Freshman Mindfulness Seminar to Enhance Psychological Well-being and Cognitive Function

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongxiang Tang ◽  
Patricia Broderick ◽  
Timothy Bono ◽  
Kamila Dvořáková ◽  
Todd Samuel Braver
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
College Curriculum ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Mindfulness Skills

Mindfulness training has shown promise in improving psychological health and cognitive function. Mindfulness skills may be particularly beneficial in helping first-year students’ transition to college, as this can be a time period of considerable lifestyle changes and increased stress. Previous research has demonstrated positive effects of mindfulness training in college populations, but primarily by providing standardized mindfulness programs that are distinct from the college curriculum. Such programs may pose greater challenges for student participation, as they require a strong extracurricular time commitment. The present study examined the effects of mindfulness training incorporated into a semester-long college seminar dedicated to both practical learning of mindfulness skills and scientific understanding of mindfulness theory, based on the evidence-based Learning to BREATHE (L2B) curriculum. In a quasi-experimental design, first-year undergraduate students in the mindfulness seminar were compared with a control group enrolled in a positive psychology and study skills seminar. Students in the mindfulness seminar exhibited more improvement in satisfaction with life and trait mindfulness, as well as less anxiety; in contrast, no differences were observed in cognitive function. These results demonstrate the feasibility and potential psychological benefits of integrating mindfulness training into standard college curriculum.

scholarly journals Integration of a Mindfulness Meditation Lab for University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Duke D. Biber
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Holistic Wellness ◽  
Student Wellness ◽  
Higher Education Curriculum ◽  
The University

Background: Mindfulness meditation can effectively enhance every dimension of holistic wellness and learning, including cognition, attention, self-regulatory resources, and first-year academic success.Aim: This paper discusses the potential impact of a mindfulness meditation room on student wellness, education, experiential learning, and development.Methods: The program curriculum and the structure of the Wolf Wellness Lab at the University of West Georgia emphasizes a holistic approach to higher education curriculum development and student wellness and is based on the National Wellness Institute's six dimensions of wellness. The newly developed mindfulness meditation room is discussed in regard to recent research and valid, practical application as a way to improve student learning and overall wellness.Conclusions: The mindfulness meditation room provides experiential learning and high-impact practices associated with the University of West Georgia educational curriculum. The mindfulness meditation room could promote student learning and overall well-being via personal practice and opportunities to guide other students and faculty through meditation practice.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Communication Skills and Intellectual Health in Senior-Year Students of Paramedicine School at Kashan University of Medical Sciences 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 484-488
Author(s):  
Fatemeh R. Jeddi ◽  
Faeze Ghaffary ◽  
Razieh Farrahi
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Senior Year ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Senior Students

Introduction and Objective: Communication skills are the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with others, which plays a role in people's intellectual and psychological health; therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between communication skills and intellectual health in senior students of Paramedicine School at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present study is descriptive-analytical, which was performed cross-sectionally in 2019 on 95 senior students of the Paramedicine School of Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The census method was used in this study due to the limitations of the statistical population. The data collection tool consisted of three parts: Participants' demographic profile, Barton's standard communication skills questionnaire (1990), and intellectual health questionnaire based on the intellectual health scale of entrepreneurs' personality traits assessment questionnaire. The questionnaire was presented to the students in person. After collecting data, it was entered into SPSS 22 software and analyzed with descriptive indices (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Pearson's correlation and t-test). Results: The total mean score of the communication skills in students was 59.61±5.82. There was a direct and significant relationship between verbal and listening skills (r = 0.32, p = 0.003), verbal and feedback skills (r = 0.43, p = 0.001), listening and feedback skills (r = 0.41, p = 0.001). The mean mental health of the participants in the study was 33.45±5.02 There was a positive correlation between communication skills and intellectual health in students (r = 0.2, p = .07). Conclusion: Communication skills affect intellectual health. Therefore, it is recommended that educational workshops on communication skills and how to communicate be held for students at the beginning and during the study, and that psychological counseling centers be set up or become more active in the university.

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